September is Emergency Preparedness Month, and a great time to start planning for the changes winter may bring. As Southern California prepares for El Niño, the City of Glendale has initiated regular planning meetings with the Fire, Police, Public Works and Water & Power to prepare for the heavy rains.  In the near future, critical information will be provided to assist residents and business owners in protecting their properties. The City will also share its operational plan as we move into the fall.  Please sign up for our monthly newsletter to get the most updated information related to El Niño as well notifications to important events.

In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to get you started for the season.

1. Yard Clean-Up Make a general inspection of your entire yard area for dead trees or dead limbs, yard debris, outdoor furniture, or other objects that could be blown by storm winds.  It is important not to over-trim trees as improper pruning actually leaves trees more vulnerable. Read more about proper tree care here.

2. Drains and Gutters Make sure all drains and gutters are cleared of debris and functioning properly before the storm season. Storm water runoff from impermeable surfaces (e.g., roofs, driveways, and patios) should be directed into a collection system to avoid soil saturation.

3. Roofs Inspect your roof, or hire a roofing contractor, to check for loose tiles, holes, or other signs of trouble.

4. Retaining Walls Visually inspect all retaining wall drains, surface drains, culverts, ditches, etc. for obstructions or other signs of malfunction, before the storm season, and after every storm event.

5. Slopes Visually inspect all sloped areas for signs of gullying, surface cracks, slumping etc. Also inspect patios, retaining walls, garden walls, etc. for signs of cracking or rotation.

6. Bare Ground Make sure your yard does not have large bare areas which could be sources for mudflows during a storm event. The fall is a good time to put down mulch and establish many native plants; it may be possible to vegetate these bare areas before the storm season.

7. Storm Drains Visually inspect nearby storm drains, before the storm season and after every rain; if the storm drains are obstructed, clear the material from the drain or notify the Public Works Department at 818-548-3950.

Information on how to acquire sandbags and a ‘how-to’ video on the proper sandbag placement around your home will be available in the coming month. Sign up for the City’s newsletter to receive updates on its completion.

If you have not yet done so, sign up for a Community Emergency Response Team course with the Glendale Fire Department. The last two CERT training courses for 2015 will be held on Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23, and 30 or October 14, 21, 28 and November 4 from 5:00 – 10:00 pm. STAY INFORMED: Sign up for the City’s Emergency Notification System.